Q: What is the Vanguard?
Tanzu Vanguard is a group of global technology users and practitioners passionate about our products and services who openly share their experiences and knowledge with the community and the IT industry.
Q: Why become a Vanguard member?
Becoming a member of the Vanguard community means you are recognized for your skills and achievements. You will join a community of our product and service enthusiasts that are on the cutting edge of cloud technology. It also means you are willing to regularly share your knowledge and unbiased opinions with the industry and the world!
Some of the many privileges of becoming a Vanguard include:
- networking with a small group of peers to get complex IT challenges solved
- recognition and rewards for your contributions and achievements
- raising your profile via media, analysts, and content opportunities
- access to our product and service groups
- unique invitations to our conferences and user group meetups
- special digital badges to identify you as a Tanzu Vanguard
Q: What are the membership criteria for joining the Vanguard community?
The community is widely available to all of our product and service enthusiasts. Some criteria for membership include:
- at least 18 years old or older
- current or former VMware Tanzu customers and partners
- active members of and contributors to the industry
- passionate about our products and services
- in spare time, likes to geek out on all things IT
- openly, willingly share your opinions with the community, industry and back to us
- seeking to grow a personal brand
- bloggers, podcasters or anyone active on social media is a plus
The ideal job title for candidates:
- Developer
- Platform Operator
- Administrators
- Cloud Architect
- Solution Architect
- Data Scientist
Q: Who is not eligible to become a Vanguard?
- current or former VMware employees
- market analysts or analyst relations representatives
- government employees
- persons listed in the U.S. exclusion list (either country or person)
- our competitors
Note: If an active member accepts a job with a competitor, then the member must relinquish membership
Q: What are the criteria for maintaining active membership?
Vanguard are passionate about our products and services and openly and willingly share their knowledge and opinions within the community, with us, and with the industry. They are actively engaged in the community. They support their community members, they are interested in learning the latest technology trends and share their unique point of view across multiple communication channels.
Activities that members are encouraged to participate in include:
- attendance at community meetings
- contribute to product/service panel discussions
- volunteer to share opinions in our communication and social media channels
- guest speaker on our podcasts, event conferences, and user group meetups
- speak to media and analysts about industry trends, our products, etc.
- engage online polls and surveys
- write or speak about our products and services in own blog or podcast, as well as our blog
Q: What is the selection process to become a member?
The on-boarding process is as follows:
- Step 1: Review these FAQ’s
- Step 2: Apply for membership by completing the application form
- Step 3: If you are considered, you should expect a response within 2-4 weeks
- Step 4: Schedule an interview with us to discuss IT background and qualifications
- Step 5: Allow 1-2 weeks afterward to determine your eligibility
- Step 6: If you are invited to become a member, you must complete a participation agreement, NDA and welcome form
Q: What if I am unable to stay active in the community?
Members must stay “active” from the date they are selected, until the end of that calendar year. At the end of each year, members are evaluated based on their contributions and level of activity within the community. If it is determined that they did not meet the minimum criteria, then their membership will not be renewed. Retired members may apply again to re-join the community if circumstances change.
Q: What guidelines must I follow as an active member?
One of our core values is to “do the right thing” by contributing our time, technology and know-how to improve the communities we work and live in. It means we operate legally and ethically, everywhere we are and in everything we do. The same can be applied to our fellow Vanguard members. We ask that all active members respect one another and display high standards at all times. Some general guidelines or rules of thumb:
- do not release any of our product or service information to the general public prior to the agreed upon announcement date
- do not actively sell or market your products or services within the community nor are you allowed to solicit your fellow members for any reason
- do not misrepresent your relationship to us by posing as a VMware employee
- trolling is not allowed; no bullying or insulting fellow members
- additional reasons that are left to our sole discretion
Q: Does a Tanzu Vanguard represent VMware?
No, they do not. A Vanguard is a member of our enterprise super user community, but not a VMware employee. Vanguard members are encouraged to disclose their relationship with VMware to third parties such as posting the following message in one’s blog, podcast or social media profile page:
- Though I am not a representative of VMware and my views and opinions about VMware are my own, I am an active member of the VMware Tanzu Vanguard community which gives me the privilege to have special access to VMware and engage with other VMware Tanzu Vanguard members.
Q: Does being a Vanguard member present any conflicts with my current employer?
Please check with your company prior to applying for membership to ensure there are no conflicts.
Q: What can VMware do with content I generate for Tanzu Vanguard?
By joining the Vanguard, you grant VMware the right to use any and all content you generate in and for your membership-related activities. This includes contributing content to a blog, podcast, webinar video, social media, etc., either on the member’s own channel or VMware’s channels. Any content that is created in collaboration between you and VMware may be shared and distributed by you and us. If VMware decides to use content that an active member has contributed to, for marketing or promotional related purposes, VMware will request additional permission from the active member before distributing.
Q: How does VMware use and share personal information?
Our privacy policies are outlined on our Privacy Policy page, which is incorporated into your membership agreement.
Q: What if I want to leave Tanzu Vanguard?
You can quit anytime by sending us an email at tanzuvanguard@vmware.com.
Q: Are there any costs or payments associated with joining the Tanzu Vanguard community?
No, you do not have to pay to be a Tanzu Vanguard member. Their invitation to join is a reward for their past achievements. Likewise, Tanzu Vanguard members will not be paid anything to be part of the community.
Q: Who can I contact with any questions?
Please email: tanzuvanguard@vmware.com